Operation Safer Festive Season/Vala Umgodi was conducted in Sabie today,  October 24  it resulted in the seizure of an AK-47 as well as .38 Special Revolver and about 1991 live ammunition.

Accordign to a provincial police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli, the operation was conducted by Lydenburg K9 Unit in collaboration with Phoenix Security members, following intelligence received about suspected illegal mining activities.

The information indicated that suspected illegal miners were somehow involved in a gun battle in Sabie. Upon receiving some details, law enforcement agencies swiftly coordinated a plan to decisively deal with the situation. As the team approached the area, the group of about 20 suspected miners began to retreat, dropping the two firearms and a large quantity of ammunition as they ran and shove each other to avoid an arrest by the police,” he said.

Mdhluli added it was during this time when the police confiscated the weapons An inquiry has been opened and the suspects involved in this incident are still at large.

The SAPS has since launched a manhunt to locate and bring these individuals to justice.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, has reassured the public that the Police, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, are committed to maintaining increased visibility in areas where illegal mining activities persist. The General further emphasized that efforts to address illegal mining will continue until all illegal mining activities comes to a halt. “We just want to announce that we will continue with these operations and even exert more pressure whilst assessing our impact, ” said the General.